Beverage Organizer

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a beverage organizer that is configured to be placed within a cooler. The beverage organizer includes an upper rectangular plate and a lower rectangular plate that are aligned horizontally and affixed together via a pair of side walls to form substantially a rectangular prism shape. The upper rectangular plate includes a plurality of apertures that align with a plurality of apertures on the lower rectangular plate to allow a beverage container to be received therethrough. The sidewalls further include a plurality of elongated apertures that allow cool air therethrough, and a plurality of legs that allow the lower rectangular plate to be disposed above a bottom surface of a cooler. One of the sidewall includes an upstanding panel, which allows the higher sidewall to block ice. The lower rectangular plate also includes a lighting assembly that is configured to illuminate the beverage organizer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/969,929 filed on Mar. 25, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to organizers for coolers. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved beverage organizer for coolers that is configured to receive bottles, cans, and bar tools/accessories. Furthermore, the beverage organize includes a lighting assembly configured to illuminate the beverage organizer.

One of the more common items found on a picnic or the like is a cooler for maintaining items in a refrigerated condition. Generally, coolers are an insulated box having an interior chamber filled with ice, ice packs, or cold gel packs to help keep food and/or beverages cool. These coolers have an access opening arranged to be closed by a lid, wherein beverages and/or food are placed therein to maintain a refrigerated condition.

Some of the biggest problems encountered with the use of such coolers are related to the lack of organization within the interior chamber of the cooler. For example, the interior chamber may contain items such as sandwiches or pastry, however due to the ice melting, these items become soggy or inedible. In addition, when the cooler contains cans and bottles, these cans and bottles are placed in horizontally along with bags of ice to cool the beverages. However, due to the disorganization of mixing the cans, bottles, and ice, the cooled beverages inevitably are positioned at the bottom of the interior chamber, which are difficult to reach. Therefore, there exists a need for a beverage organizer for a cooler that allows for more uniform cooling.

The present invention provides a beverage cooler configured to be placed on a bottom surface of the interior chamber of a cooler. The beverage cooler includes an upper rectangular plate disposed in a parallel manner above a lower rectangular plate, wherein a pair of sidewalls affix the upper rectangular plate and the lower rectangular plate to one another forming substantially a rectangular prism shape. The plates further include a plurality of apertures that are configured to receive beverage containers or bar tools/accessories therethrough. The sidewalls include a plurality of elongated apertures that allow cool air, cold ice, or cold water therethrough. In addition, the sidewalls include a plurality of legs that extend below the lower rectangular plate to allow the lower rectangular plate to be disposed above the bottom surface of the interior chamber of the cooler. One of the sidewalls includes an upstanding panel that extends the sidewall higher than the other sidewall. In this way, the upstanding panel is configured to block ice. The lower rectangular plate further includes a lighting assembly that is configured to illuminate the beverage organizer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bottle organizers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved bottle organizer wherein the same can be utilized for

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved bottle organizer that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bottle organizer that includes an upper rectangular plate that is disposed above a lower rectangular plate in a parallel manner, wherein the plates are attached to one another via a pair of sidewalls.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bottle organizer, wherein the plates further include a plurality of apertures that are disposed in a parallel manner to allow a beverage container or a bar tool/accessory to be received through the apertures on both plates.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bottle organizer, wherein the sidewalls include elongated apertures to allow cool air or cold water and ice therethrough.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bottle organizer, wherein the bottom edge of each sidewall includes a plurality of legs configured to dispose the lower rectangular plate above a base surface within a cooler.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bottle organizer, wherein the lower rectangular plate further includes a lighting assembly configured to illuminate the bottle organizer.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bottle organizer wherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows side perspective of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an overhead perspective of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a transparent side perspective of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the lighting assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the bottle organizer. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as stored within the interior chamber of a cooler. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown a side perspective and an overhead perspective of the bottle organizer 20 that is configured to be placed within the interior chamber of a cooler. The organizer 20 comprises an upper rectangular plate 21, a lower rectangular plate 22 and a pair of sidewalls 24. The upper rectangular plate 21 and the lower rectangular plate 22 further include a pair of sides 25 and a pair of lengths 26. The upper rectangular plate 21 is disposed above the lower rectangular plate 22 in a horizontal and parallel manner, wherein the upper rectangular plate 21 and the lower rectangular plate 22 are attached to one another via the pair of sidewalls 24 along the lengths 26 of the rectangular plates 21, 22 forming substantially a rectangular prism shape.

The upper rectangular plate 21 and the lower rectangular plate 22 further comprise a plurality of openings 23. The openings 23 are configured to receive a beverage container or a bar tool/accessory in an upstanding position. The upper rectangular plate 21 and the lower rectangular plate are positioned in a parallel manner, wherein the openings 23 are aligned. In this way, a beverage container can be received therethrough an opening 23 on the upper rectangular plate 21 and an opening 23 on the lower rectangular plate 22. Preferably, the openings 23 are configured to receive any liquid container and bar tool accessory, including, but not limited to shot glasses, liquor bottle spouts, cups, bottles of wine, bottles of liquor, soda/beer cans or bottles, and cups. It is contemplated that embodiments of the organizer 20 may include openings 23 that are configured to receive some of the items listed but not all, or items not listed.

Each sidewall 24 further comprises a top edge 29, a bottom edge 30, and a pair of opposing side edges 31. The top edge 29 is affixed to the upper rectangular plate 21, while the bottom edge 30 is affixed to the lower rectangular plate 22. Each sidewall 24 further includes a plurality of elongated apertures 27 that are equidistantly spaced apart in a parallel manner along the length of the top edge 29 and the bottom edge 30. The elongated apertures 27 are substantially oval-shape and extend parallel to one another across the length of the sidewall 24. The elongated apertures 27 are configured to allow cool air, cold water or cold ice to flow therethrough, thereby allowing the beverage containers stored within the organizer 20 through the openings 23 to be chilled. One of the sidewalls 24 further comprises an upstanding panel 50 that extends upwardly on the same plane as the sidewall 24. The upstanding panel 50 is configured to prevent ice from blocking access to the plurality of apertures 23.

The bottom edge 30 of each sidewall 24 further includes a plurality of legs 28 that are configured to be placed against a base surface within a cooler. The legs 28 are positioned equidistantly apart along the length of the bottom edge 30. In this way, the legs 28 allow the lower rectangular plate 22 to be situated above the base surface within the cooler so that a user can insert a beverage container through the openings 23 on the lower rectangular plate 22. This positioning is particularly advantageous because placing the beverage containers through both the openings 23 on the upper rectangular plate 21 and the lower rectangular plate 22 provides for better stability in holding the beverage containers than with only inserting the beverage containers through the openings 23 on the upper rectangular plate 21.

The organizer 20 is preferably composed of a crystal clear acrylic material, such as PVC or melamine, however other suitable materials, such as a thermoplastic or thermoset plastic, may be used. In addition, although the organizer 20 is preferably unitary in structure, in some embodiments, the upper rectangular plate 21 and the lower rectangular plate 22 are attached to the sidewalls 24 via a strong epoxy glue or other suitable means of adhesive.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a transparent side perspective of the organizer 20 and a schematic diagram of a lighting assembly 31 of the organizer 20. Preferably, the lower rectangular plate 22 further includes the lighting assembly 31 having a battery 32, an on/off rocker switch 33, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) 34 to illuminate the organizer 20. The LEDs 34 are activated by an on/off rocker switch 33 which completes a circuit from the battery 32 to the LEDs 34. The on/off rocker switch 33 is preferably a rocker switch, however other suitable switches such as a toggle switch are also appropriate.

The LEDs 34 are preferably positioned along an interior surface of the lower rectangular plate 22 with wiring embedded within the lower rectangular plate 22, however other embodiments may also have the wiring freely positioned. In alternative preferred embodiments, the LEDS 34 are positioned instead along an interior surface of the upper rectangular plate 21. The battery 32 is also preferably in close proximity to the plurality of LEDs 34 in order to reduce power loss through resistance of any wiring and to prevent unnecessary heating of the cooler by having electrical wires conducting electricity positioned throughout the organizer 20.

The battery 32 is preferably stored in a battery compartment 40 that prevents any water and ice from seeping in. The battery compartment 40 includes at least one side forming an open side that is placed in contact with the lower rectangular plate 22 to allow the LEDs 34 to be electrically connected to the battery 32. The LEDs 34 are also waterproof so that they are operable when exposed to liquid inside of the cooler. The LEDs 34 are the preferred light source for the light assembly 31 as they are more energy efficient than traditional light sources, emit low-intensity light, and generate a minimal amount of heat to keep the cooler cool. Further, preferably each of the LEDs 34 has a millicandela ranging from about 4,000 to roughly 20,000. The LEDs 34 are preferably 12 mm domed LEDs of any color, however, other alternative embodiments include other suitable LEDS 34, such as 5 mm flat top LEDs of any color, which is also preferred due to its flat top and un-domed surface.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A bottle organizer that is configured to be placed within the interior chamber of a cooler, comprising: an upper rectangular plate and a lower rectangular plate each having a pair of sides, a pair of lengths, and a plurality of openings; wherein said upper rectangular plate is disposed above the lower rectangular plate in a parallel manner; said upper rectangular plate and said lower rectangular plate being attached to one another via a pair of sidewalls; each sidewall being affixed along said lengths; wherein said plurality of openings of said upper rectangular plate and plurality of openings of said lower rectangular plate are aligned to receive a beverage container or a bar tool/accessory therethrough; said lower rectangular plate comprising a lighting assembly configured to illuminate said bottle organizer.
 2. The bottle organizer of claim 1, wherein: each said sidewall comprise a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of opposing side edges; wherein each sidewall includes a plurality of elongated apertures that are equidistantly spaced apart in a parallel manner that are configured to allow cool air, cold water, or cold ice to flow therethrough; said bottom edge further includes a plurality of legs that are equidistantly spaced apart along said bottom edge configured to allow said lower rectangular plate to be situated above a base surface of an interior chamber of a cooler.
 3. The bottle organizer of claim 1, wherein: said lighting assembly includes a battery, an on/off switch, and a plurality of light emitting diodes to illuminate said lower rectangular plate; wherein said light emitting diodes are activated by said battery to complete a circuit from said battery to said light emitting diodes thereby illuminating said lower rectangular plate.
 4. The bottle organizer of claim 3, wherein: said battery is stored within a battery compartment on said lower rectangular plate; wherein said battery compartment is configured to prevent any liquid from seeping therein.
 5. The bottle organizer of claim 3, wherein said battery includes an alkaline battery or a rechargeable battery.
 6. The bottle organizer of claim 4, wherein: said battery compartment includes at least one surface and an open end; wherein said open end is attached to said lower rectangular plate to allow said light emitting diodes to be electrically connected to said battery.
 7. The bottle organizer of claim 3, wherein said on/off switches includes a rocker switch.
 8. The bottle organizer of claim 2, wherein one of said sidewalls includes an upstanding panel configured to prevent ice from blocking access to said plurality of apertures. 